Ngeringa Chardonnay 2023

Winemaker: Erinn Klein

Grape(s): Chardonnay

GI: Adelaide Hills (Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia)

Site(s): Ngeringa Summit vineyard, Ngeringa Rufus vineyard and Turnbull Family vineyard

Vintage notes: The growing season leading into the vintage of 2023 was by all accounts our wettest and cooler in at least a decade. We managed to just stay on top of our disease pressure during the spring of 2022 and then benefited the rewards with near zero pressure close to harvest. A long, slow much later than normal harvest meant amazing flavour development, great acid retention in the grape across all varieties. 

Winemaking: The Chardonnay grapes are gently hand harvested, then whole bunch pressed, with minimal settling into new and old French oak barriques (228L) and puncheons (500L) of which thirty percent are new barrels. Fermentation begins spontaneously with wild yeast from the vineyards and winery. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. The wine matures on full lees for nine months with no battonage. A small dose of sulphur is added at blending just prior to bottling. No enzymes, no fining.

Closure: Stelvin screw cap

ABV: 13.0%

Tasting notes: A Chardonnay with power and pure fresh stone fruit; yellow fleshy peach and citrus zest, complemented with nutty, savoury malo complexity. Fine French oak aromas balanced by ample fruit intensity, present with approachable acidity. Drinking fabulously right now.

Production size: 626 dozen